Installing new software on Ubuntu

**galfly** · March 12th, 2013

Hi,

What's the best way to install new software? I mean where?

I downloaded the binary for some software, lets say dummy (I don't think there's a dummy package, I'm using it in a "you-name-it" kinda way). I verified the cheksum, unzipped and extracted it in a local directory under my home. But I want all users to be able to run this software from anywhere with a dummy alias.

So, I created a symbolic link to the executable under /usr/local/bin. And I exported path settings in an s.sh file under /etc/init.d. This didn't work.

Alternatively, I extracted the executable under /usr/local/ directly, instead of using a link. I still have the s.sh file. I still can't run the executable, and I'm not sure if this is the most "elegant" way of installing it.

Thanks

**ManamiVixen** · March 12th, 2013

Ubuntu Software Center is where you can install stuff. the icon looks like a shopping bag and is on the sidebar in Unity or the main Applications menu in Gnome.

Manual install of files and programs is not reccomended as usually there could be dependancy problems.

**cortman** · March 12th, 2013

Whoa, installing software in Ubuntu is a lot easier than you think, I believe.

You can browse the software center if you like, or use apt-get to install, and apt-cache to search for available software. See the man pages on both for more info.
Good luck!

**fantab** · March 12th, 2013

Now, what do you mean by "executable"?
Most of the Applications you need are in the Ubuntu repositories. You can 'elegantly' install them from 'Ubuntu Software Center' (available by default on any ubuntu) or with 'Synaptic Package Manager' (which you need to install first).

However, there are certain packages that may not be available from the 'repositories', for such applications you need a .deb file (which is an executable install package file for Debian based Distros, like Ubuntu). Just double clicking the .deb file will install it via 'Software Center'. Simple.

If .deb is not available then you need .tar.gz or .tar.bz2 file for that application and we are on our own to install it.

To install .tar.gz or .tar.bz2 (which, by the way, are compressed files) follow the steps below from the terminal:

Code:

$ cd packagefolder
$ tar xvzf packagename.tar.gz  (if the file is .tar.gz) OR
$ tar xvjf packagename.tar.bz2  (if the file is .tar.bz2)
$ ./configure
$ make
$ make install